Six Gam Patidar Samaj of Chicago hosted colorful Raas Garba

Chicago IL: Six Gam Patidar Samaj of Chicago Board of Trustees, Members of Executive Committee and Volunteers hosted colorful Raas Garba festivity on the occasion of Navratri on Saturday – October 12, 2013 from 7:30 pm to 12:30 midnight. This annual sacred event is celebrated in honor of Godess Durga and Amba Mataji. The event was held at Hoffman Estate High School, 100 W Higgins Rd, Hoffman Estates, IL. Attendance was houseful. Garba by DJ Arun Modi.

Backless Cholis, Embroidered Chania, Colorful Dhotis and Kurtas and a Kaleidoscope of Saris were all out as Gujaratis in particular and others in general danced to the tune of loud music in Somerset as Navratri began with the usual gusto throughout the United States. Hoffman Estate High School gymnasium was transformed in to a huge dance floor to accommodate hundreds of bare feet moving in to thunderous drumbeats in swirling circles around deity Hindu Goddess “Durga and Amba Mata”.

The most fascinating was the Dandiya Raas. Colorful Dandiyas, some of them specially ordered from India, had modern looks. While the traditional Dandiyas are made of wood, it is now the age of aluminum and even colorful plastic. Some of the Dandiyas change color with every beat making it all the more fascinating. The nonstop Dandiya for almost 90 minutes not only drains the participants but the musicians also. The viewers are left spell bound by the fast rhythm and pace.

There was overwhelming participation from predominantly young audience enjoyed the memorable evening. Many in the audience, especially ladies and children wore very colorful mesmerizing and dazzling traditional dresses for this special occasion with appropriately matching ornaments and extravagant hairstyles. When asked main purpose of organizing such event, Mr. Diptesh(Didee) Desai, president of Six Gam Patidar Samaj replied that “this type of organized event promotes our Hindu faith & Indian culture to the new generation who are born here & it also brings community together and nothing is more beautiful than that”

DJ and some members of board started the program with traditional “Be Tali” garba. This was followed by mesmerizing rhythmic conformist Garba music with equally passionate and energetic performance by the audience of traditional swirling dance around Mataji’s heavenly symbolic presence turned in to shrine adorn with flowers and decorations. After the brief break, the festive music of Dandia-Raas commenced with again enthusiastic participation by audience which lasted till almost midnight and followed by traditional Aarti.

One of the specialties of Navratri is the Prasad, distributed at the end of the Garba (singing devotional songs) to all the people. The word Prasad means the food offered to GOD (after preparation, it will be placed before the idols of Gods and Goddesses without anyone touched or tasted it). Later, after the Puja, it is believed that GOD will shower his blessings on all the people and the food offered to him, making the food as a sacred one. This sacred food is later distributed to people as Prasad, as the mark of the end of Puja for that day. The Navratri special Prasad are varieties of dry nuts, fresh fruits and special “Aatham Night Shiro”. An abandon amount of different variety of Prasad offered by devotees, which was distributed after the Aarti ceremony.

Board of Trustees and executive committee members and volunteer’s good planning and durable work were evidenced by excellent security safety and parking arrangement.

Sponsors and vendors participated by displaying their Banners and advertisement. This multidimensional celebration of such a festive day of Navratri would not have been possible without many sponsors, donors, and advertisers.

Current president Diptesh(Didee) Desai thanked the committee heads and volunteers that made the event possible. With entire well organized dedicated Six Gam Patidar Samaj team effort with solid work and with Devine blessing from Mataji combined with devotional hard work and enthusiastic support and participation by the community the event was a grand success.

Honorable contribution by:
Santaram Maharaj Group Devotees

SGPS announced the contest winners- Male/female categories. This year we had six different categories:
• Best dressed and Garba player male ages 18 and up- Manan Patel
• Best dressed and Garba player female ages 18 and up – Reena Patel
• Best dressed and Garba player youth male ages 12-17 – Suuny
• Best dressed and Garba player youth female ages 12-17 – Aneri Patel
• Best dressed and Garba player child male ages 1-11 – This prize was transferred to Female
Category
• Best dressed and Garba player child female ages 1-11- Aesha Patel, Aashi Patel, Siya Patel

Executive Board 2013: President-Diptesh Desai, Vice President-Jatin Patel, Treasurer-Tushar Patel, Secretary-Nirav Amin, Joint Secretary-Shaunak Patel

Past President: Dilip Patel

Board Of Trustees 2013: Rajesh Patel-Chairperson, Mitesh Patel-Vice Chairperson, Sanjiv Patel, Kamlesh K Patel, Ritesh Patel, Dilip Patel, Vanleela Amin, Virendra Desai, Hiren Patel, Lina Patel, Dikunj Desai, Tapan Desai, Miral Patel, Ashish Amin and Rakesh Amin

About Six Gam Patidar Samaj(SGPS- Chicago):
Six Gam Patidar Samaj (SGPS–Chicago)- (The Charotar Leuva Patidar people of predominantly Hindu faith (particularly originating from the Six Gam Patidar Villages) was incorporated in 1982 to promote a non-profit religious, cultural, non-political organization to preserve the culture, social and academic activities for Six Gam Patidar community in Greater Chicago land and surrounding areas. Six Gaam Patidar Samaj of Chicago was founded on the basis of sharing, teaching, and learning more about our faith, ancestral roots and passing them on to the coming generations. Our members belong to one of six ancestral gams: Nadiad, Bhadran, Vaso, Sojitra, Dharmaj, and Karamsad, Through social events, geared towards family and youth programs, we are creating new and innovative ways of spreading our knowledge, roots, and culture. From our yearly picnic to Diwali celebrations, we have events that cater to all ages and strive to maintain growing our reach more and more every day. We also work to offer the youth growth opportunities in education through our scholarship program, which is awarded yearly. Comprised of members who serve their community professionally and personally, SGPS-Chicago is a great place to make new friends, contacts, and join one big happy family Six Gam Patidar Samaj strives to instill moral, cultural, and higher education values in younger generation. The Samaj become a platform for youths to meet and create life-lasting bonds.

Upcoming event:
SGPS Diwali dinner will be hosted on Saturday, November 9, 2013 at India House Banquet.